pulley keys

[Keith Roberts]

I don't quite understand how something round is going to reduce the size of
a hole. Has the center been drilled out?
I'm rebushing the keys. Titebond 2 works great for gluing back the split
sides of the key buttons. I thinned down the titebond 2 and saturated the
weak sides of the sharps that were sloppy and with a spring clamp and a
mortise sizing caul they are quite strong and exactly the right size. I
don't like the indent the spring clamps make in the side of the key but I
doubt anyone will ever notice. The titebond 2 being waterproof will probably
last the longest without going to an epoxy.
Keith R
----- Original Message -----
From: <BSHARPTUNE@aol.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 11:53 PM
Subject: Re: pulley keys


> Hi Keith,
> Balance rail bushing: If you've got wood missing at the balance rail hole
in
> the key button, you'll most likely need to replace those....unless, you
can
> find the wood chips under the keys, and re-glue.  For those key buttons
that
> are intact, but the balance rail bushing is loose, a key bushing tightener
> punch often works.  The trick is to be very careful using this tool.  It
is
> all too easy to splinter a key button with it from hammering too hard.
> Balance rail hole: If you've got a pulley key, the fastest and easiest way
to
> fix this problem is using a 1/2" hole reducing punch.  They come is
different
> sizes, but the 1/2" works best for me.  In case you are not familiar with
> this tool, it is a steel ball bearing with an 1/4"x4" steel handle
attached.
> You remove the key, invert it, support it, place the ball bearing over the
> hole, lightly tap with a light weight hammer, and the hole size is
reduced.
> I get these from Micromart (1-800-225-1066).  Incidentally, this company
is a
> good source for various "micro tools" that can be used in our trade.  In a
> pinch I guess you could go locally to a place that sells ball bearings,
and
> buy the 1/2".  You might try epoxying a hammer shank to it.  Anyway,
because
> this method is so fast, I would go to the trouble of obtaining the bearing
> before I tried to glue size, or veneer the balance rail holes, unless
there
> were very few to do.
> Front rail bushings: Make sure they are all there.  Replace any that are
> missing.  If you have play in the front rail bushings, experiment with
> turning the front rail pins.  Because they are "oval",  you can turn them
a
> little at a time, to find the optimum position between taking the side
play
> out, and not increasing friction as the key is depressed.
>
> Best of luck!
> Devlon
>